This year, Ülemiste City is stepping away from traditional Christmas gifts and directing its resources and focus toward an initiative with long-term impact. We’re supporting the Kiusamisvaba Kool project to help even more Estonian schools create an environment where learning brings children joy and young people feel seen and supported.

“Ülemiste City is a place of talent and opportunity — a place where companies and people can grow, develop, and feel supported. This year, we wanted to pass that goodness forward,” says Sten Pärnits, Chairman of the Management Board at Mainor Ülemiste AS.

In Estonia, every fifth schoolchild is a victim of bullying, placing us among the highest in Europe. “We want to create an environment where young people in Estonia can make a global impact without ever needing to leave home. Unfortunately, bullying can also influence the educational and career choices young people make. To ensure Estonia continues to nurture bold and driven talent, we must support a safe school environment and help keep young people’s curiosity and love of learning alive,” Pärnits adds.

The Estonian Bullying Prevention Foundation brings the KiVa programme to schools across Estonia. Developed at the University of Turku, KiVa is a research-based and evidence-driven anti-bullying programme designed to prevent bullying, reduce its occurrence, and effectively resolve bullying cases. “The entire school community is involved in the KiVa programme — teachers, students, and also parents. Together, they learn to notice, respond, and create an environment where every child feels safe and supported,” explains KiVa Programme Manager Jane Alas-Rikken. “Every 13 euros gives one child the opportunity to take part in the KiVa programme for a full academic year.”

According to Triin Toomesaar, Head of the Estonian NGO Network, a donation is never just a donation. “It’s an opportunity to make a real difference in the world. By noticing and supporting those who need it, we help build a stronger and more caring society,” Toomesaar says.

Watch the joint video message from Ülemiste City, the Estonian NGO Network and Kiusamisvaba Kool. Let’s do good together!

You can explore ways to support the KiVa anti-bullying program at kiusamisvaba.ee/anneta